Spending bill funds real needs

Monday

One manís pork is another manís vital local investment, and so it is with the federal budget bill, which contains millions for local projects that could make a huge difference to area residents.

The Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane-protection system, the Larose-to-Golden Meadow levee and the Houma sugar-cane research lab all stand to see sizable influxes of cash.

Altogether, the bill represents a $555 billion measure by the federal government and is literally filled with projects just like those that are near and dear to our hearts and interests.

Where our projects tend to differ is that they are truly needed, said U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville.

"The new Congress has worked hard to rein in federal spending and this year has cut congressional earmarks by over 40 percent," Melancon said in a written statement. "Fortunately, leadership in Congress recognized the south Louisiana projects we advocated for are needs -- not wants -- and spared them from the chopping block."

We certainly hope that is true, although we suspect that the bill has its share of wants as well.

Some of the projects in line for money at the local level are:

- $4 million for a three-mile part of Morganza near Pointe-aux-Chenes.

- $3 million to help maintain the Houma Navigation Canal.

- $980,000 for helping to restore the Larose-to-Golden Meadow levee to its original elevation of 13 feet.

- $1.9 million for a new sugar-cane research facility in Schriever.

Hearing from the various government groups that will get the money, it is easy to get the feeling that no one is getting as much as he or she wants.

That is probably par for the course.

It is heartening, though, to see federal money coming here for real needs, which levees and sugar cane certainly are.